PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside

Photos and text by Oren Ziv and Yotam Ronen

PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside

Istanbul: Police and protesters did not clash in Istanbul on Thursday night for the first time since the anti-government demonstrations began. Inside Gezi Park, protesters created different systems to serve the thousands of inhabitants, including: a medical clinic, library, a space where supporters can donate food and more. For the first time in days, the local municipality agreed to come to the park and remove the massive amounts of garbage that had accumulated. In Takism Square, people were dancing and singing until the late hours of the night.

Ankara: Turkey’s capital saw a massive demonstration on Thursday, in which tens of thousands of union members and others participated. The protest was peaceful until the late afternoon, when Turkish police violently broke up the demonstration by attacking protesters with water canons and tear gas. Police arrested many, including one journalist who was injured by a gas canister. Today (Friday) Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to return from a visit to North Africa and speak in Ankara.

PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Activists receive food donations from supporters at Gezi park, Taksim square in center Istanbul, June 6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Protesters clear out garbage from Gezi park, Taksim square, Istanbul, June 5, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Protesters dance in Taksim square, Istanbul, June 6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Police car is seen through a broken billboard during a night demonstration in Ankara, Turkey on may 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Protesters take part in an anti-government demo near Bashiktash stadium in center Istanbul, June 6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Protesters set up a barricade on the road between Bashiktash stadium and Taksim square in center Istanbul, early June 6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Youth shoots a sling shot during clashes with Turkish police following an anti-government demonstration, near Kizilay square, Ankara on June 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
A protester is hit in the face by police during clashes during an anti-government demonstration near Kizilay square, Ankara on June 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Turkish policemen use a water canon against protesters during an anti-government demonstration, near Kizilay Square, Ankara on June 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Turkish policemen arrest protesters during clashes following an anti-government demonstration near Kizilay Square, Ankara on June 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
Protesters sleep in Gezi Park, Taksim Square, early June 5, 2013.
PHOTOS: Ankara protests grow as Istanbul clashes subside
A young woman rests between the tents in Gezi Park in Istanbul, June 6, 2013.

 

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